Although we have seen and heard in the
past few years that the Divine Guardians, especially the Messenger of mercy,
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), have been ridiculed and mocked, it is
interesting to realize that based on the Holy Quran and even the scriptures of
Christianity and Judaism, insulting the Prophets has a long story.

For instance, we read in the Old
Testament, book of Chronicles 2,” The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word
to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his
people and on his dwelling place; But they mocked God’s messengers, despised
his words and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused
against his people and there was no remedy (1)”.

Or in regards with mocking and
insulting Prophet Jesus (PBUH), the New Testament narrates, “And the men that
held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they
struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote
thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him (2)”.

The Holy Quran also refers to the
lives of the previous Prophets and their challenges with the ignorant, fanatic
people in several verses in order to comfort Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and
the believers for the difficulties they faced. For example, it says,” And
certainly We sent Messengers among the first nations; however, (the people were
so obstinate that) there never came a Messenger to them but they mocked him (3)”.

According to the Holy Quran,
ridiculing and mocking the Prophets was done for various purposes:

1- To destroy
the dignity of the Prophets and to disperse the truth-seeking people who had
gathered around them.

2- As an
indication of their weakness and inability to oppose the strong logic of the
Divine Messengers. In fact, since these people were unable to answer the
logical proofs of the Prophets, they chose the reaction of irrational, ignorant
people, i.e. mockery.

3- Because the
Prophets were revolutionary people who fought against the disturbed condition
of the society and wanted to change the false traditions. However, the ignorant
fanatics who deemed those false traditions to be eternal had no choice but to
resist this reform and mock the Prophets.

4- In order to
cover their slept conscience so that it might not be awakened and cause
responsibility. In fact, accepting the call of the Prophets resulted in
restriction of their carnal desires and brought about new responsibilities for
them. Therefore, they use mockery to avoid taking these responsibilities.

5- Because many
of the Prophets were poor people and had simple lives. The ignorant people, who
considered dignity to be in one’s cloth, vehicle, or house, were surprised by
the fact that a poor person could become the leader and guide of an entire
nation including wealthy and poor people. Therefore, they ridiculed and mocked
those leaders.

Despite all these mocking and
ridiculing, Allah (SWT) sends His words and Messengers to the disbelievers so
that the argument becomes complete on them, and they would not have any excuse.
As such, the Holy Quran says,” Thus do We make it (verses of the Quran) to
enter into the hearts of the guilty; however, (despite all the preaching,
emphasis, logical proofs, and miracles) they (fanatic mockers) do not believe
in it, and indeed the example of the former people has already passed (they
were such too) (4)”.

The reaction of those who have chosen
the path of mocking and ridiculing truth has been, and will be nothing but
obstinacy and animosity. The Holy Quran describes their obstinacy on falsehood
and immersion in desires as “even if they see the Divine signs clearly in front
of them, they would question their eyesight instead of accepting them(5)”.

It is not so shocking that a human
might reach this level of stubbornness and obstinacy; because the pure innate
of human being which can comprehend the truth becomes gradually filthy through
sins, ignorance, and animosity. Of course removing this darkness is easy at the
first stages; however, if this state penetrates the soul and becomes a “habit”,
it would not be easy to clear it. This is the state where the reality changes
in man’s view, to the extent that even the most convincing logical proofs or
the most clear sensible sings do not leave an effect on the heart, and it leads
to denial of the proofs and signs.

Therefore, the opposition of the
followers of falsehood against the Prophets and making plots to fool people and
disperse them from surrounding the Prophets is neither a new phenomenon nor
limited to a specific time or location. As understood from the Holy Quran,
these conspiracies and plots have been going on among the deviate nations from
the oldest of times. Hence, we should not fear, become disappointed or
desperate, or be terrified by the troubles the enemies cause. This is an
effective comfort for all those following the path of truth.

If we think that we can preach the
word of truth raise the flag of justice at any place or time without being
opposed by the stubborn enemies, we are completely mistaken. The Prophets in
general, and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) as their highest in rank, and all
their true followers never became disappointed by these oppositions; rather they
continued their right path with determination. We shall never be disappointed
either; rather we have to increase the depth of our faith and willpower through
logic and proof, and defend truth as much as we can.

(The above is a
selection of “Tafsir Nemooneh”, by Ayatullah Makarim Shirazi (with some changes
and additions))

The Roshd Website, along with all the
Monotheists and freemen of world, strongly condemns mocking and insult towards
the Divine guardians and the Prophets, especially Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP),

and expresses its utmost respect
towards his honor.

Please note that a new page with the
topic of “Condemning insult towards the Divine guardians” will be launched soon
on our website.